For a sports lover like Erica Schuelke '17, a summer internship with this year’s NBA Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers, was
a dream come true. From working with the team’s executive managers and fans to sharing
in the energy of the Cavaliers’ historic victory, Erica has discovered that the path
to success starts with the confidence to step out of your comfort zone and into something
bigger than yourself.

It all started with the friendships and mentors that Erica found at McKendree. She
first learned about the unique internship opportunity from recent alumna Kendall Butler
'16, who had previously landed an internship with the Detroit Pistons. Kendall and
one of Erica’s professors, Dr. Elisabeth Erickson, encouraged her to interview with the professional sports teams at the Mount Union
Sales Workshop. “Dr. Erickson pushed me to go to the workshop because she saw something
in me that I didn’t yet see in myself,” said Erica.

“The ability to get to know my professors on a one-on-one basis has helped me to learn
and grow on a better level than I would ever have at a big school.”

Before she knew it, Erica was offered an internship on the organizational business development team for
the Cleveland Cavaliers. Within the first two weeks, she met the entire leadership group for the company.
She was astounded with the openness of each manager and their willingness to take
the time to sit down with her and discuss career paths.

Erica also gained valuable experience making sales pitches to fans of the Cavaliers,
as well as the Lake Erie Monsters and Cleveland Gladiators. She helped staff a sales
table at games three and six of the NBA Playoffs and got to experience game seven
at a watch party with all of her coworkers. “Getting to experience such a pivotal
moment in Cleveland history with my coworkers was amazing. Many of them were born
and raised in Cleveland, so they have been waiting their whole lives to experience
this championship.”

Erica not only celebrated the Cavaliers’ win with her sales team, but the entire city
of Cleveland as well. She rode a trolley through downtown as part of the championship
parade, high-fiving fans and chanting “Let’s go Cavs!” with the rest of the city.
“It was so surreal seeing one million people fill the streets to celebrate their city
and the win,” she said. “It was something I never could have dreamed being a part
of, and I’m so grateful I had that opportunity.”

Her internship experience, however, left her with more than just great memories and
the knowledge that she was there for an important moment in sports history. Erica
believes it gave her more confidence in herself and guidance for the career she wants
to pursue. “Being a part of the Cavs’ organization and learning from some of the best
in the industry has opened my eyes to the importance of working at a company where
you fit in best. One of my interviewers said, ‘Sales in sports is talking sports with
sports people.’ There really is nothing better than sharing a passion with someone
you don’t know and making sure they continue to have these experiences with their
friends and family.”